BOLTON Hospice has closed its inpatient unit to new admissions after patients and medical staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Two patients, two doctors and two nurses tested positive for covid-19 this week, the hospice said.

And now, following advice from Public Health England, Bolton Hospice says it is implementing its contingency plan to reduce any potential risk to patients, staff and visitors.

This means the inpatient unit will be closed to new admissions for two weeks. Patients already receiving care will continue to do so.

Only one named visitor can visit a patient.

Care provided by Bolton Hospice at Home team will continue to operate as usual as they work in a 'separate bubble'.

In a statement the hospice said: "Following a number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 on our inpatient unit this week (two patients, two doctors and two nurses) we have been liaising with Public Health England and following their advice we are now implementing our contingency plan, which aims to mitigate any potential further risks to patients, staff and visitors.

"Our inpatient unit will be closed to new admissions for a period of 14 days (current inpatients will continue to receive care as usual).

"Our visiting policy has been reviewed and we have reduced visiting to one named visitor for each inpatient

"Our Hospice at Home team, who operate in a separate ‘bubble’ to our inpatient unit, will continue to provide care for patients in their own homes as usual during this time.

"The safe and effective care of our patients and the safety of our staff remains our utmost priority. We will continue to liaise with Public Health England and local health and social care system partners to minimise the risk of further transmission and maintain the safety of our service."